STYLE: OOTD Blue Studded Vest

I'm baaaaack! Sorry for the unintended break around here - I've been busy looking for a place to live and moving unexpectedly (long, horrible story), but we're finally settled in and I'm finally ready to get back to some normal habits, like this here blog. Lucky you, right?!

Just to dip my toe back into the Neon Rattail universe, here's a simple Outfit of the Day post taken a couple months back and lost in the twists and turns of my hard drive before being unearthed during a recent marathon organizational session.

I snatched up this vest from the Dots clearance rack last summer, where it was hanging all alone with its measly $5 price tag. Yes, $5. I'd almost purchased it previously at full price because, while I can do a lot of things successfully, resisting bright blues and moto-style clothing are usually not among them. I originally passed on it because I thought it was slightly overpriced for what it is (I'm sure it's made of, like, plastic and old paint chips or something), but at five bucks I was ready to play ball. Plus, I had a bunch of studs laying around (ebay is the best for bags of cheap studs!) that I used to quickly upgrade this vest.

Vintage Paisley, Revlon Lipstick, Skeptical Face

Outfit Details

Blue Studded Vest: Dots {with some DIY studs added by me}

T-Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Marshall's

Head Scarf: Vintage {thrifted}

Necklace: Forever 21

Ring: Dots

What have you been up to in my absence, babes? Have you ever done any DIY studding? How much do you LOVE clearance racks at already-cheap stores?

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STYLE: OOTD Flowers Galore

Little known fact: sometimes your floral motifs get lonely and you need to give them company. Okay, I actually didn't notice that I was wearing florals on top AND bottom until I made this post, but that rationale seems accurate, right?

Lipstick is Fire & Ice by Revlon

I made this skirt last year from a very simple pattern and this glorious floral fabric that I got from Joann Fabrics. Here's a closeup of its vintage-inspired goodness, wrinkles and all:

Here's a closeup of the cardigan's floral gems. I'm...let's call it "thrifty" with most purchases, but I still remember that I spent $29 for this cardigan on clearance, which is probably NBD to most people, but I like to see how little I can pay for all of my clothes, so this was a MAJOR splurge to me. This one was special!

Here is a clear shot of the Indiana Jones Cat portrait that lives above our couch. He peeks into a lot of my pictures, but I've never introduced him. He found me at a vaguely sketchy thrift store and I just knew. I have yet to regret making him the center of my living room decor. The other is a painting of Mike Lowell done by my dear pal Brian.

Outfit Details

Cardigan: Adrienne Vittadini via T.J. Maxx

Tank Top: Old Navy

Skirt: Handmade by me

Leggings: Old Navy

Boots: Rampage via Marshall's

Bracelet: Vintage

Do you ever go overboard with a pattern? Are you into making your own clothes? Would you not LOVE to have your own Indiana Jones Cat portrait? I think I've actually seen this print available online before for those who just must have him, too. He's worth the search.

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STYLE: Fox Sweater OOTD

It's been quite some time since I've made an Outfit of the Day post, so I figured I'd rectify that since that's one of the things I claim to do around here. Truth is, no one is watching to tell me what to do, so sometimes I get a little off track and want to talk about bunny ear flats or the clothing of 90s TV when it comes to fashion posts instead of just sharing a picture of myself in whatever I happen to be wearing that day. 

This outfit makes me feel like a vintage British schoolboy. Uh, I guess that should be schoolgirl, but I can't help but feel like a little fancy boy for some reason. That's ok, right?

These houndstooth flats have been kicking around my life since 2005. They're so old that they make crackly noises when I walk in them. I've also covered up some scratches on the heels with a Sharpie because I am the absolute picture of sophistication.

Up close, you can see the little pink jewels on this pearl collar necklace. Clearance, as usual.

Outfit Details:

Fox Sweater: Old Navy

Corduroy Skirt: Old Navy

Knee Socks: Target

Houndstooth Flats: Old Navy

Collar Necklace: H&M

Rings: Vintage {Orange} & Claire's {Mood Ring}

Do you enjoy dressing for "school" even if you haven't been a student in years? What's your favorite piece of animal clothing? What's the longest you've worn a pair of shoes?

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STYLE: OOTD Black, Green & Leopard

This is the third leopard themed outfit post in a row so I should either work to switch it up or fully embrace my leopard loving soul. Spoiler: it's probably going to be the latter. Leopard on!

Dress: Old Navy

Leopard Blouse: Old Navy [also worn here]

Cardigan: Gap

Tank Top: Forever 21

Leggings: Forever 21

Purse: TJ Maxx

Belt: Dots

Heels: Target

Ring: DIY by me

Necklace: DIY by me

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: OOTD Gray Leopard Leggings

Cardigan: Target

Dress: Old Navy

Leggings: Old Navy

Boots: Rampage

Necklace: Target

Ring: Michael's

I find myself in leggings more often than not these days, as winter finally starts to loosen its chilly grip on my wardrobe. These gray leopard leggings are from a few years back, but they still make the cut pretty often since their soft color palette makes them somewhat neutral. Ok, so maybe you don't consider leopard print a neutral, but in my world that's just par for the course. Paired with super bright pops of color like my beloved cobalt blue and green (which I love with my newly dyed red hair!), these leggings make a statement while still letting the color be the star in this outfit. Basically, bright colors + leopard = Michelle.

Wearing this locket makes me feel like an edgy school girl with its rosary-like chain. Target clearance! 

This ring is so colorful and magnificent in person (but reallllly hard to photograph) and I found it just laying by the jewelry supplies at Michael's - you really never know where good accessories will pop up!

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: OOTD Sheer Leopard

Long time no post! Let's just eaaaaase back in with a simple Outfit of the Day post, shall we?

Leopard Blouse: Old Navy

Jersey Blazer: TJ Maxx

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Mix No. 6 via DSW

Belt: Dots

Ring: Vintage

Bracelets: Forever 21

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: OOTD (With Curls!)

Okay, so this is technically an outfit of the day post, but more than that it's an excuse to RAVE about the best hair tool EVER! Like, for real. 

A friend of mine had told me about it and then finally demonstrated it on my hair, at which point I became a devotee and immediately counted the minutes until I could run to Target and buy one for myself.

The Goody Wave Creator curled my hair so well I was able to rock this hair for literally 3 days. Don't judge - I used dry shampoo! It's super easy to use, but I honestly don't get how it actually works or how it is so different from regular curling irons. What I do get is that my hair was lookin' GOOD. I even had someone who has known me for years ask if my hair was naturally curly. I'm fooling 'em, guys! I'm debating if I ever need to have straight hair again.

Dress: Target

Cardigan: TJ Maxx

Flats: Payless

Tank Top: Dots

Wooden Necklace: Vintage

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: OOTD Stripes & Brights

I just never get tired of a black and white stripe. It's timeless - classic and modern at the same time. As simple as it is, this kind of pattern always catches my eye, either in stores or on people. Love it, especially with bright pops of color!

Dress: Dots

Belt: Dots

Cardigan: Target

Leggings: Forever 21

Purse: Target

Wedge Flip Flops: Old Navy

Oversize Bow Ring: Craft Fair

Hair Daisy: Claire's

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: OOTD Americaaahh Edition

Happy (belated) Independence Day fellow Americans! I took it upon myself to celebrate in style, opting to dress as literally as possible in red, white and blue for no good reason except to be the weirdo at the party. It totally worked! I'm really into maxi dresses for the first time ever and now I want approximately one million of them in my closet. I've never found one that wasn't massively long on my short legs, but this one shrunk right up to the best length. I would have been willing to hem it, but the dryer did all of the heavy lifting, which was much appreciated. How have I been missing out on these wonder dresses?!

Hands on my hips in every shot because I'm a one-trick pony.

Striiiiiipes as far as the eye can see & a gratuitous hair shot because it is finally getting longer!

 I also kept it 'Merican on my nails, using these products and tools:

Dress: Old Navy

Cardigan: Target

Belt: Dots

Wedge Flip Flops: Old Navy

Pretzel Ring: DIY by me (another available here)

Any fellow theme dressers out there?

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: OOTD, Pants Edition

Sometimes I wear pants...sometimes. 

Although, I'm questioning why I chose the first day of summer (also the middle of a heat wave) to do so.

It looks like little kids painted all over my shirt - I love it!

I got these Moccasins for $10.00!

Nail polish is Mint Sorbet by Sally Hansen

Jeans: YMI

Shirt: Forever 21

Cardigan: Thrifted

Moccasins: Mix No. 6 (via DSW)

Tank Top: Dots

Polka Dot Bow Knuckle Ring: DIY by Me

Silver Bracelet: Vintage 

(and stolen from my sister's thrifted jewelry collection when I was in 5th grade - sorry, Jen!)

It's fun to play in Pants Land for a little while, but I'm looking forward to more skirts, dresses and everything summer!

xoxo,
Michelle